A community of clean air and water

According to a recent report by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the water along Volusia and Flagler beaches is among the highest quality in Florida, based on the amount of bacteria present.

OUR VIEW

Some communities might argue that subpar air and water conditions are the price that must be paid for economic growth.It’s good to know that Volusia and Flagler counties don’t have to make such excuses. Their air and water aren’t just making the environmental grade — they are part of the attraction of living or visiting here.According to a recent report by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the water along Volusia and Flagler beaches is among the highest quality in Florida, based on the amount of bacteria present. High levels of bacteria often are attributed to stormwater runoff and sewage overflow, two factors thankfully in short supply in the local Atlantic surf. Not one Flagler beach exceeded federal environmental bacterial standards, while the handful of Volusia beaches that did were due primarily to the feces of migratory birds. Those conditions occur mostly in the winter when bathers are rare.Furthermore, the incidents of increased bacteria in Volusia were relatively low, ranging from 4 percent to 19 percent of samples taken. Contrast that with severe offenders such as 67 percent and 72 percent at two beaches in Okaloosa County in the Panhandle. Also, local health officials said their beaches would meet even tougher federal standards being sought by the NRDC (except for those beaches affected by the migratory birds in winter). The good news about the water quality comes on the heels of a June report by the American Lung Association, based on data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, that gave Volusia County an “A” for ozone pollution and “B” for particle pollution. Flagler received a grade of “incomplete,” although its total days of “good” air quality (355) and “moderate” air quality (11), based on data from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, exceeded Volusia’s (346 and 20, respectively).With both water and air, the area’s strong standing is largely a result of location, location, location. While there is little heavy industry to belch toxins, the community also benefits from being close to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, which help scrub the air of pollutants, and the Gulf Stream, which helps to circulate water and keep bacteria levels down.The studies confirm what many people’s lungs and eyes already tell them.That’s not to say that everything here is environmentally peachy. The community is struggling to deal with the Indian River Lagoon system, which in recent years has suffered outbreaks of algal blooms that clog waterways, kill sea grass and cause other related harms to flora and fauna.That’s why the Volusia County Council last week voted to impose stricter regulations on the use of lawn fertilizer. Many environmentalists and scientists believe fertilizer runoff increases nitrogen and phosphorus in waterways and contributes to the algae blooms.Maintaining a healthy lagoon system and springs are as vital to the local environment and economy as the quality of air and beaches.